Fullbright returns for fundraising concert

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The Daily Ardmoreite

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Posted Jan. 19, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Posted Jan. 19, 2014 at 8:00 AM

John Fullbright will return to the Goddard Center stage Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets for this Goddard Center fundraiser are on sale at the box office. Call (580) 226-0909. Seats are $30 each, and proceeds raised will benefit the Goddard Center's outreach programs for children, which include art, music and dance instruction.

Fullbright is part storyteller, poet and musician. His wholesome good looks and talent are taking him from the backwoods of Oklahoma to the forefront of the Americana music scene. It's been a non-stop ride for Fullbright since being nominated for a Grammy in 2013. He found himself in the running for Best Americana Album against Mumford and Sons, the Lumineers, The Avett Brothers and Bonnie Raitt, who won.

Then, hot on the heels of his Grammy nomination, this Oklahoma phenomenon found himself in a whirlwind tour of concerts stretching from New York to the United Kingdom, and all points in between. Later that same year, Fullbright performed at the 12th annual Americana Music Association Awards Show in Nashville, where he was a nominee in the Emerging Artist of the Year category. Most recently, Fullbright's song, "Gawd Above" is included on the soundtrack for the film "August: Osage County," along with names like Eric Clapton, Bon Iver, Kings of Leon and Billy Squier.

Goddard Center executive director Leila Lenore probably said it best when she tried to explain what it was like to be at a Fullbright concert.

"When you're in the same room with John, and he starts to sing, this feeling of being in the presence of someone special just washes over you. You just know this young man is going places," Lenore said.

Born and raised just outside Okemah, Woody Guthrie's hometown, Fullbright started playing the piano at the age of 9. Since then, he has mastered the guitar, harmonica, keyboards and vocals. He has played several showcases at SWSX in Austin, and WoodyFest, the annual folk festival honoring Woody Guthrie. He has also been featured on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition, A Prairie Home Companion, and on World Café.

Fullbright will be joined on the Goddard stage by Terry "Buffalo" Ware on the guitar. Ware's own accomplishments span many decades, and include stints with Ray Wylie Hubbard, the Sensational Shoes, and Jimmy LaFave. Since 2000, Ware has been a freelance guitarist, backing artists including Hubbard, Fullbright and others. Ware also teaches guitar at McMichael School of Music, a private teaching facility in Norman. Ware has become a staple at the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, where he has served as the house band leader and performed at every festival since it began in 1998.

The Goddard Center is located at 401 1st Ave. SW. For information, visit www.goddardcenter.org.